Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet in India Could Start at Under ₹1,000 Per Month: Reports

Highlights

• SpaceX’s Starlink is expected to launch in India with promotional plans starting under ₹1,000 per month (around $10).
• It will offer fast, low-latency internet in urban and remote areas where broadband options are limited.
• The service is awaiting final approvals from Indian authorities before launch.

Caption – Starlink is all set to enter the Indian market. (Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash)

Elon Musk’s Starlink is almost ready to launch in India. The satellite internet service, which is already running in over 100 countries, aims to provide fast, low-latency internet in places where regular broadband isn’t available. While it will be available in both cities and remote areas, many are wondering about the pricing in India. According to reports, Starlink plans might start at under ₹1,000. Here’s what we know so far.

Starlink Internet in India

A recent report from The Economic Times says SpaceX is likely to introduce unlimited data plans at promotional rates of under $10 a month, that is about ₹840. This affordable pricing could help Starlink attract early users before rivals like Eutelsat OneWeb (backed by Bharti Group), Reliance Jio’s venture with SES and Globalstar enter the market.

Notably, Starlink is also said to be working with Jio and Airtel for distribution in India.

Earlier this month, Starlink received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), moving one step closer to launching. But before it can officially begin services, it still needs final approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and spectrum allocation, according to PTI.

What is Starlink?

Caption – Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service. (Photo by Evgeny Opanasenko on Unsplash)

Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX. It uses a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high-speed internet directly to users. These satellites orbit much closer to Earth than traditional ones, which means faster response times and more stable connections.

This makes Starlink ideal for areas that lack proper broadband infrastructure like fibre networks or mobile towers.

How Much Does Starlink Cost?

Starlink is currently active in over 100 countries including neighbours like Bhutan and Bangladesh. It offers fast and reliable internet, especially in areas with poor or no broadband coverage. In the U.S., Starlink’s service costs around $120 a month (roughly ₹10,200).

However, India is expected to see much lower introductory pricing. That said, once promotional deals end, monthly costs could still land anywhere between ₹3,000 and ₹7,000, depending on the location and plan.

Apart from the monthly charges, users will also need to buy the Starlink hardware kit, which includes a satellite dish and Wi-Fi router. Globally, this kit is priced between $250 and $380 (around ₹21,300 to ₹32,400). There’s also a portable version called the Starlink Mini, made for on-the-go internet, which costs $599 or about ₹43,000. This upfront cost might be a hurdle for many users in India, especially since fibre broadband services here usually have low setup fees and offer extra benefits like bundled entertainment.

Still, for people in remote or rural areas who struggle with poor internet, Starlink could be the much-needed solution to finally get reliable, high-speed connectivity.

With its Indian rollout, Starlink is entering a market with huge potential. Analysts say even if the company captures just 1% of India’s broadband users, it could earn nearly $1 billion every year.

FAQs

Q1. What is Starlink and how does it work?

Answer. Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX. It uses a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet directly to users, especially in areas with poor broadband infrastructure.

Q2. How much will Starlink cost in India?

Answer. Starlink’s promotional pricing is expected to start under ₹1,000 per month (around $10). However, once these deals end, monthly costs could range between ₹3,000 and ₹7,000, depending on the location and plan.

Q3. What approvals does Starlink need before launching in India?

Answer. Starlink has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) but still requires final approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and spectrum allocation.

Also Read: iPhones May Get Starlink Satellite Connectivity

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